Program – League of Women Voters of the Umpqua Valley

IP57 Ruling Appealed

Oregon’s Attorney General has filed an appeal against the federal court ruling on July 14 (see our webpage for details).

“Whether a federal judge can rewrite the state constitution‘s procedures for constitutional amendments is a question that goes to the heart of the state’s power to create its own laws,” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement Wednesday. “Any final decision made in this case could have long reaching impacts for the state and on future ballot initiatives.” (According to https://mooresvilletribune.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/oregon-ag-appeals-federal-judges-order-on-redistricting-bid/article_48446a06-2c9d-5bd1-99c3-d9fc75adf1da.html).

Also see:

https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/473812-383061-citizen-redistricting-petition-gets-a-little-more-time

https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-attorney-general-gerrymandering-measure-ballot/

Stay tuned for further developments!

Stand Firm

The League of Women Voters across the nation stands with families who have lost someone to police violence and protesters, in our states, our nation and around the world. Yet another unlawful death of a Black person is horrifying. As human beings we must all recognize the ongoing atrocity and continue to be anti-racist. We must listen to friends of color and learn more about our country’s systemic racism.

Please make it a priority to vote in November!

The League Grieves with the Nation

5/29/2020

WASHINGTON – The League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following statement in reference to the murder of George Floyd:

“The League of Women Voters grieves the murders of George Floyd and the countless other Black lives that have been tragically taken at the hands of rogue law enforcement officers who are rarely held fully accountable for their actions.

“We also mourn those who have lost their lives or been harmed, mentally or physically, as a result of America’s pervasive culture of anti-blackness. The systems of oppression that have perpetuated the myth of white supremacy in our country must be dismantled if we are ever to become the nation we pledge to be—indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

“As an organization whose mission is to empower voters and defend democracy, we stand in solidarity with all Black communities. The League shall do so not only by speaking out against racism in all forms, but by doing the work required of us to be anti-racist. We are committed to listening to and amplifying Black voices, and educating ourselves and our children on the historic and ongoing systemic racism that plagues this country.

“The League acknowledges, painfully, that America is a nation founded on racism. Therefore, all who live in this country must contribute to and participate in organizations actively working to achieve full liberation and inclusive freedom. We must all advocate for anti-racist policies at every level of government.

“We join the League of Women Voters of Minnesota in calling on law enforcement officials to provide transparency during this investigation, and to seek justice for George Floyd, his family, and his community.

“Finally, we echo the call of our partners at the NAACP: we must all vote in November – the road to change lies at the ballot box.”

Contact: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | scourtney@lwv.org

Cybersecurity and Privacy Meeting Canceled

This meeting has been canceled, but hopefully we will hold it in the future.

Amid compelling daily ongoing developments, do you wonder about privacy, cybersecurity, and election security?

Get more information!

Read the League’s New Privacy and Cybersecurity Study

Join us on Friday, March 13 Noon-1:30 at the Roseburg Public Library, Deer Creek Room

Guest speaker Jess Daly, a Public Policy Consultant with expertise in cybersecurity and privacy issues, will give a presentation about Privacy and Cyberhealth.

Privacy & Cyberhealth
A discussion about navigating everyday issues of privacy and cybersecurity.

Jess says ~

It is easy to dismiss basic issues of privacy living with the amazing technology that surrounds us and the convenience it brings. People often say, “I’m a regular person with nothing to hide so why should I care?” This attitude can be damaging. It’s like saying, “I’m a healthy person with no germs, so why should I wash my hands?” We will talk in common sense terms about privacy and cyberhealth and how these issues connect to your personal family life, your local community, and your vote. We will explore ways everyone can support safe, healthy, and connected families, communities, and societies.

All interested community members are encouraged to attend this noontime meeting. Light lunch will be served.

For more information, email us at info@lwvuv.org.

League DEIS Comments – No On LNG

The League of Women Voters of Rogue Valley (LWVRV) joined the LWVs of Coos County (LWVCC), of Umpqua Valley (LWVUV), and of Klamath County (LWVKC) in writing a letter to Oregon Governor Kate Brown, conveying key concerns about how the Jordan Cove Energy Project would conflict with the work Oregon has ahead of us to meet the challenges of climate change. No-LNG

This same letter was then forwarded to FERC as comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the Jordan Cove Energy Project.

This is how the letter begins….

Dear Ms. Bose:
We write representing the League of Women Voters of Coos County (LWVCC), LWV of Umpqua Valley (LWVUV), LWV of Rogue Valley (LWVRV), and LWV of Klamath County (LWVKC). We are grassroots nonpartisan, political organizations operating in the four counties in Oregon that would be directly affected by the construction and operations of the proposed Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas (JCLNG) and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP), commonly referred to collectively as the Jordan Cove Energy Project (JCEP). Our detailed review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this project shows that the projects are in direct conflict with many of the state and national League of Women Voters positions. These positions are based on study documents and consensus evaluations regarding natural resources, water quality and air quantity, climate change, offshore and coastal management, land use, public health and safety, energy conservation, and seismic risks

READ More of this credible work — the PDF is here.

Redistricting Forum Round 2

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You are invited to an educational forum about Redistricting, AKA Gerrymandering.

If you would like to know more about this important subject that affects every election, please attend.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019
1:30 to 3:30 PM
Roseburg Public Library
1409 Diamond Lake Blvd, Roseburg, OR
South Umpqua Room

Here’s a link to a PDF that will fill you in about how/why it’s done in Oregon.

Link to why we do redistricting all over the country. It’s all about the national census that will take place in 2020, making the next census critical to redistricting done in the following year, 2021.

Here’s a great link to the Brennan Center information on the subject.

Please plan on attending this interesting meeting. The state League of Women Voters of Oregon will present a compelling case. Let’s hear from you, too!

This meeting is open and free to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, email lwvuv.info@gmail.com or call [541] [672] [6982].

Happy Holidays to All!

The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley thanks the people of Douglas County for their support and encouragement. We wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Just in case you missed it ~ toni-cuenca-454941-unsplash-w

Our new Redistricting web page

General Election 2018 Candidate Forums on YouTube

1st Talk Tuesday Time is held on the first Tuesday of each month. The next one is on Tuesday, Jan. 8 (the second Tuesday this time!). The Noon to 1pm meeting is held at 428 SE Chadwick. Come to discuss what’s on your mind.

Please ‘Like’ our Facebook page and follow our website and our YouTube channel.

Make a donation to support your local League. Mail a check to LWVUV, PO Box 2434, Roseburg, OR 97470.

Better yet, JOIN us! Here’s a Membership Form 2018-19 Final. We enjoy providing our nonpartisan unbiased services: candidate and ballot measure forums and voting information.

Please contact us if you have ideas, questions or comments. Email us at lwvuv.info@gmail.com or call 541-672-1914.

Redistricting Meeting Nov. 13

We believe that voters should choose their representatives, not representatives choose their voters.

Now that you’ve voted, here’s a subject we need to delve into — Redistricting or AKA Gerrymandering.

Join us on —
Tuesday, Nov. 13th
7PM to 8:30PM
at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg
(375 W. Harvard Blvd)

Please join the League of Women Voters as we tackle a big issue: gerrymandering. With the 2020 U.S census coming so is the 2021 redistricting process. Come learn about our current redistricting process, how it impacts elections here in Oregon, and what reform could look like. There will be a time for Q & A as well. This is a space to talk about how we can move forward in advocating for fair representation, competitive districts, and a system that prevents abuse. Because we believe that voters should choose their representatives, not representatives choose their voters.

See our web page for more information.

Print and pass out a flyer – download it here.

Listening to Each Other

Brian Prawitz, Roseburg city councilor, spoke to League members at their annual meeting on May 15 at the Roseburg Country Club.

Brian’s talk is so pertinent to our situation throughout America that we thought we should share this with you. Brian struggles with the violence and division between Americans. He says we need to actually listen to each other and to try to understand each other. Here’s a link to his talk to the League on his business’s website — https://soundcloud.com/brian-prawitz/togetherness-without-tragedy-uvlwv, thanks to BP Media Solutions. Brian-Prawitz-Roseburg

Brian encourages us to find ways to work together for the good of our community, despite our differences. He suggested that we each make an effort to seek out someone who is different than we are and get to know them, offer respect, and prepare to love them even if we disagree with them. Change starts with one-on-one relationships and good listening skills.

Also, Brian’s TED Talk “Togetherness Without Tragedy” can be viewed online at: http://www.tedxroseburg.com/2017/04/17/brian-prawitz/

Brian participates in the American Leadership Forum (ALF) where he has gotten to know a diverse group of Oregon leaders from urban and rural areas this year. He finds himself in the minority as a white, middle class, conservative man from a rural area and he is gaining new perspective. He is dismayed that some people in the group have told him they are afraid to come to Roseburg.

Brian mentioned a person who has impressed him with his Kindness Diaries (now on Netflix). The author is Leon Logothetis, and more can be learned about him here: http://www.leonlogothetis.com/. He drove around the world on his motorcycle with no money. When Brian asked him how to lessen division and create more harmony in our communities, he told Brian, “Be the change.”

Brian’s mission is similar to the League’s efforts called the Listening Project which was created in the wake of the October 1^st, 2015 Umpqua Community College shooting tragedy. The project will continue this coming fall.

Check out the links above, and contact the League for more information.

Annual Meeting & Dinner

The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley invites members and friends to their annual meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 15th at the Roseburg Country Club.

Spring Garden Tour 2018 — Come to the Spring Garden Tour on June 16!

Annual Meeting & Dinner
Tuesday May 15th
5:30PM to 7:30PM
Roseburg Country Club
5051 Garden Valley Road
Roseburg, OR 97470

Dinner is $19 per person. Checks or cash will be accepted at the door. Non-members are welcome also. Please RSVP by calling [541] [672] [1914].

There will be a short business meeting, dinner and a guest speaker, Brian Prawitz, a Roseburg City Counselor, who will address strengthening our community. Brian’s 14-minute YouTube video, “Togetherness Without Tragedy”, is available online here.

We will also welcome our state League president, Norman Turrill, will be in attendance.

You’ll also have a chance to buy Spring Garden Tour 2018 tickets for $15 each. Otherwise, you can buy them at one of our ticket sellers. See the above web address to find out where. The Tour is on Saturday, June 16, 10AM to 5PM.